Does anybody know if the klx 250 was being made by suzuki during the "merger" between the two companies between 2001 and 2006? From what I've seen online kawi didn't start making the klx 250 until 06 but my buddy claims to have an 05. Thanks for the help.

 

The DR-Z 70/110 and DR-Z 400 were shared with Suzuki.

Ride on
Brewster

 

KLX250 didn't appear until 1994 in the KLX250R off road bike that went to a 300 a couple years later.

 

KLX250 has been in production continuously since 1978, just because it wasn't always sold in the US doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

 

Pardon my erroneous assumption that the question was U.S.related.

You are mostly correct. I have been unable to find anything on a KLX250 in liquid cooled form before 1990, nothing of air cooled after 1984. Mostly looking in Bike Pics, but some dealer parts listing showed about the same. If you have some source that would show it I'd really like to see what the evolution of the model was. The early version KLX was air cooled and twin shock, based on their 250 SOHC single from the mid 70s. I remember them showing up in the advertisements. Previous to that it was the KL250 old style "enduro" street bike.

This is what I found.

Air cooled 1978-1984 Not sure if they went beyond, nothing shows from searches.

Liquid cooled 1990-2015 Found a rider listing his bike as a 1990 in Bike Pics and some parts listings for parts from 90-92. This was the start of the current LC KLX250/300 series. The KLX250R and KLX300R were in the US, off road only. The KLX250S was in the US from 2006-2014, the SF hit for a few years there too

I know the D-tracker was out for several years in the Asian market and probably others I think in years before the KLX250S came to the US. I remember being jealous of the riders in Japan having access to such a great looking bike, being a fan of flat track.

From what I've searched the KLX was discontinued for around 6 years in the mid-late 80s. The KLR was in production during those years as well as other overlapping years.


So what can anyone add to this interesting topic.

One more comment, it would be really great if riders would open their settings and at least list the country where they live, possibly state or province too. That way information can be more accurate. Especially in cases of giving recommendations for services and parts.

 

You got me An assumption on my part and I can admit when I'm wrong.

It just frustrates me when some people (not you) say the 2006 was the first generation which by your research shows it wasn't.

 

YOu got me too! I didn't think of the fact that the early LC KLX was in other countries first, coming to the US market in 94, plus I neglected to mention the early air cooled KLX250 with the cool alloy swing arm and twin shocks, kind of revolutionary for a four stroke back then.

How cool!



I remember seeing the KLX wheelie through water in either an ad or article.

 

They took the KDX175 frame and modded it to fit the 250 4T engine, the reports at the time said gutless engine but wow the frame more than made up for it in handling.

 

Just looks so cool, even now.

 

looks like my first dirtbike, a 1983 KX80. Same color scheme. Thanks for the nostalgia!